Twice a year the Northwest Energy Angels put on a showcase where the organization’s investors can talk shop, and local cleantech companies have the opportunity to update the group of angels—many of whom have backed them in the past—on their recent accomplishments. It’s a chance for the growing organization to benchmark its success in facilitating … Continue reading “NW Energy Angels Winter Showcase Highlights 7 Up-and-Coming Local Cleantech Companies”
Author: Thea Chard
Before joining Xconomy, Thea spent a year working as the editor of another startup, the hyperlocal Seattle neighborhood news site QueenAnneView.com. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California, where she double-majored in print journalism and creative writing. While in college, Thea spent a semester studying in London and writing for the London bureau of the Los Angeles Times. Indulging in her passion for feature writing, she has covered a variety of topics ranging from the arts, to media, clean technology and breaking news. Before moving back to Seattle, Thea worked in new media development on two business radio shows, "Marketplace" and "Marketplace Money" by American Public Media. Her clips have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Santa Monica Daily Press, Seattle magazine and her college paper, the Daily Trojan. Thea is a native Seattleite who grew up in Magnolia, and now lives in Queen Anne.
Motricity Breaks Profitability Barrier, Strikes New Mobile Deal With Indonesia’s Fastest-Growing Carrier
Bellevue, WA-based mobile Internet service provider Motricity (Nasdaq: [[ticker:MOTR]]), passed the profitability mark yesterday, when it posted its 2010 third quarter financial results. The company, which struggled through a disappointingly low $50 million IPO in June, is reporting its first ever positive net income, in the amount of $3.3 million for the three-month period that … Continue reading “Motricity Breaks Profitability Barrier, Strikes New Mobile Deal With Indonesia’s Fastest-Growing Carrier”
Urban Airship Nabs $5.4M from Foundry Group, Moving Full Throttle in Mobile Software Space
Anyone who says software startups don’t bring in big investment dollars anymore, clearly hasn’t been paying attention to Urban Airship. Beyond being one of a new and interesting class of startups that are part software, part mobile, the Portland, OR-based company is bringing in some major financing, including its $5.4 million Series B round led … Continue reading “Urban Airship Nabs $5.4M from Foundry Group, Moving Full Throttle in Mobile Software Space”
How the VC and Angel Investing Landscape is Being Transformed: Highlights from VC Crossfire
[Correction: 7:40 am 11/1/10] Last night was the big night—we gathered some of the biggest names in Northwest financing for Xconomy’s “VC Crossfire” event, at Amazon’s new headquarters in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. The panelists consisted of some of the region’s top financiers and technology entrepreneurs—including Bob Nelsen of Arch Venture Partners; Tom Alberg … Continue reading “How the VC and Angel Investing Landscape is Being Transformed: Highlights from VC Crossfire”
Nearlyweds Raises $500K, Acquires OneWed, Aims to Make Tying the Knot Simpler
Seattle-based social wedding software company Nearlyweds said today it has closed a $500,000 equity financing round from Founder’s Co-op, Jon Kelly, Andy Liu, David Niu, and other investors. The startup also announced it has acquired Chicago-based OneWed for an undisclosed amount. Nearlyweds, founded in 2007, designs personalized wedding websites for couples for a flat rate. … Continue reading “Nearlyweds Raises $500K, Acquires OneWed, Aims to Make Tying the Knot Simpler”
Washington Startups Bring in $51.7M in September, Healthcare, Internet, and Software Sectors Lead in Deals
Every month we take some time to look at the deals Washington tech and biotech companies inked in the month prior, and compare them to recent trends. Unlike our weekly investment deals roundups, these monthly features give us the opportunity to look back through both the large investment that made big headlines when they broke, … Continue reading “Washington Startups Bring in $51.7M in September, Healthcare, Internet, and Software Sectors Lead in Deals”
Limeade CEO Henry Albrecht On Why Healthy, Happy Employees Are the Key Ingredient to a Thriving Business
It’s not often that you meet a CEO who works a maximum of 55 hours a week, participates in push up challenges with coworkers in the office, and wears the company values—which read “anything is possible,” “speak plainly,” “we make things for customers,” and “be it”— on a dog tag around his neck. But for … Continue reading “Limeade CEO Henry Albrecht On Why Healthy, Happy Employees Are the Key Ingredient to a Thriving Business”
Photobucket Appoints Tom Munro as CEO
Denver, CO-based Photobucket, which merged with Seattle-based mobile imaging startup Ontela in December 2009, has promoted Tom Munro to the position of chief executive, the company said today. Munro previously served as Ontela’s chief financial officer, and has been acting as Photobucket’s president and CFO since the merger last year. MocoNews.net is reporting that along … Continue reading “Photobucket Appoints Tom Munro as CEO”
Cray Wins $60M University of Stuttgart Contract
Seattle-based supercomputing company Cray (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CRAY]]) has inked a contract deal with the University of Stuttgart, to deliver two supercomputers to the University’s High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS). The multi-year, multi-phase contract is worth an estimated $60 million. The first phase of the contract will take place in 2011, during which the Cray XE6 … Continue reading “Cray Wins $60M University of Stuttgart Contract”
The Northwest Cleantech Cluster: The A-to-Z List of Energy Efficiency Players
[UpdatedI 12:15 pm Pacific] We’ve been covering the cleantech space here at Xconomy for some time, and the whispers we keep hearing from the folks at the Northwest Energy Angels, cleantech incubators like the McKinstry Innovation Center, or the Puget Sound Regional Council, is that although the Northwest is an obvious contender to lead in … Continue reading “The Northwest Cleantech Cluster: The A-to-Z List of Energy Efficiency Players”
RPI Raises $5M More, Optify Nabs $6.1M from Triangle Peak, Madrona, TalentSpring and Recruiting.com Are Acquired, & More Seattle-Area BizTech News
For months the flow of news about Seattle-area technology company deals has felt like a trickle, and then all of the sudden this week we have deals coming out of our ears. It must be the fall weather, which has finally set in, quite a bit later than usual. Take a look at the highlights: … Continue reading “RPI Raises $5M More, Optify Nabs $6.1M from Triangle Peak, Madrona, TalentSpring and Recruiting.com Are Acquired, & More Seattle-Area BizTech News”
Recruiting.com Acquired by Jobing
Seattle-based Recruiting.com (formerly called Jobster) has been acquired by Phoenix, AZ-based employment website Jobing, according to a report by TechFlash. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Recruiting.com was founded in 2004 and has raised more than $50 million in venture capital from Bellevue, WA-based Ignition Partners, Trinity Ventures, Reed Elsevier Ventures, and … Continue reading “Recruiting.com Acquired by Jobing”
NewBay, Irish Mobile Software Company, Opens U.S. Headquarters in Seattle, Looks to Hire 100 People (and Take On Real, Motricity)
There’s a new mobile company in town—Dublin, Ireland-based NewBay Software, which is celebrating the opening of its new U.S. headquarters in Seattle today. The firm says it chose Seattle for its Americas headquarters because of the unique mobile and technological ecosystem here in the Pacific Northwest. NewBay, founded in 2002, sits in a tech sector … Continue reading “NewBay, Irish Mobile Software Company, Opens U.S. Headquarters in Seattle, Looks to Hire 100 People (and Take On Real, Motricity)”
RPI Raises $5M More from Riverlake Partners, Huntington Capital
Tukwila, WA-based digital-to-physical media company RPI has raised an additional $5 million financing round led by Portland, OR-based Riverlake Partners, with participation from its previous investor, San Diego-based Huntington Capital, the company said today. RPI has quite an interesting story. One of the few veteran mid-sized companies left in the Seattle area, RPI has been … Continue reading “RPI Raises $5M More from Riverlake Partners, Huntington Capital”
Tech Stories We Missed: A Roundup of Stories That May Not Have Made the News the First Time Around
It’s been quite a busy week here for Northwest-area technology companies and entrepreneurs. There haven’t been a particularly high number of straight deals, but while flipping through my notebook this week, I realized that there’s been a lot of smaller news that speaks to some interesting trends and happenings. —Portland, OR-based social e-commerce company ShopIgniter … Continue reading “Tech Stories We Missed: A Roundup of Stories That May Not Have Made the News the First Time Around”
Optify Raises $6.1M More From Triangle Peak, Madrona, and Angels
Seattle-based search engine optimization (SEO) and social media software startup Optify has raised $6.1 million in a Series B round led by Triangle Peak Partners, the company said today. Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group, and a number of prominent angel investors, including Upstage Ventures founder Mark Wachen, former Microsoftie Bill Baker, Alexrod Capital Management founder Alan … Continue reading “Optify Raises $6.1M More From Triangle Peak, Madrona, and Angels”
Bezos-Backed Doxo Rolls Out Free Paperless Bill Management Service
There’s been a lot of buzz around Seattle about Doxo lately. And yet, the startup has managed to maintain some stealthiness around what it actually does—despite the fact that it has some big names involved. The company has ex-Qpass dream-team Steve Shivers, Roger Parks, and Mark Goris (also known as the “Qpass mafia“) for founders. … Continue reading “Bezos-Backed Doxo Rolls Out Free Paperless Bill Management Service”
Off & Away Nabs $2M
Seattle-based travel startup Off & Away has raised a $2 million financing round, led by Madrona Venture Group, according to a report by TechCrunch. The company, which rolled out in May, offers high-end hotel rooms at cheap prices via an online auction bid-based service. Off & Away is headed up by chief executive Doug Aley, … Continue reading “Off & Away Nabs $2M”
TalentSpring Acquired by Talent Technology
Seattle-based TalentSpring has been acquired by Richmond, B.C.-based recruitment and hiring software company Talent Technology, according to a statement released today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
TalentSpring is a semantic-search software developer that helps job recruiters better match candidates to open positions. To date, the company has raised $2.7 million in financing from Second Avenue Partners and private investors. TalentSpring’s system gives employers access to over 120 million resumes, aggregating information from Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, and Dice, alongside niche job boards, social networks, the Web, and the company’s internal resume database.
Halosource’s $80M IPO, Avelle Raises $1M, NW Cleantech Ideas Compete in GE Ecomagination Challenge, and More Seattle-Area Deals News
The last few weeks have been slow on deals for Seattle-area technology companies, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some interesting ones to watch. Take a look at the highlights: —Just a few days after we ran a story about the business’s strategy moving forward, Bellevue, WA-based mobile software company Motricity (NASDAQ: [[ticker: MOTR]]) … Continue reading “Halosource’s $80M IPO, Avelle Raises $1M, NW Cleantech Ideas Compete in GE Ecomagination Challenge, and More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Ray Ozzie to Step Down as Microsoft Chief Software Architect
Microsoft’s chief software architect, Ray Ozzie, will be stepping down from the position after an undefined transitional period, according to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer. Ballmer made the announcement via an e-mail sent out to Microsoft employees today, adding that he had no plans to fill Ozzie’s vacated position. “The CSA role was unique and … Continue reading “Ray Ozzie to Step Down as Microsoft Chief Software Architect”
NW Energy Angel Kiki Tidwell Seeks to Professionalize Angel Investing Through Kauffman Fellowship
Kiki Tidwell, when she was growing up, had planned on entering the family business. She was raised in Hawaii, and throughout her childhood she and her parents traveled to Aspen, CO often to tend to the family restaurant. When Tidwell graduated high school, she enrolled in the hotel and restaurant management program at the University … Continue reading “NW Energy Angel Kiki Tidwell Seeks to Professionalize Angel Investing Through Kauffman Fellowship”
Intelius Withdraws IPO
Bellevue, WA-based Intelius, an online background check and information commerce company, has withdrawn its IPO, according to a regulatory filing. The company filed for a $143 million initial public offering in January 2008, according to the Seattle PI. In a statement, Intelius said it did not appear that the public offering would be made in … Continue reading “Intelius Withdraws IPO”
Tableau Reports Record Growth
Seattle-based Tableau Software, a developer of data-visualization software is reporting 123 percent sales and customer acquisition growth in the third quarter, compared with the same time last year. The company has had mounting success for some time—in the first half of 2010, Tableau saw a 106 percent increase in sales compared to the first half … Continue reading “Tableau Reports Record Growth”
31 Northwest Ideas Compete in the GE Ecomagination Challenge
Three months ago General Electric (NYSE: [[ticker:GE]]) announced a $200 million open innovation competition, with the goal of finding and financing breakthrough ideas that will help create a smarter, cleaner, more efficient, and more economically viable grid, and help accelerate the adoption of smart grid technologies. Since the “GE Ecomagination Challenge” was introduced on July … Continue reading “31 Northwest Ideas Compete in the GE Ecomagination Challenge”
EnergySavvy Finds Unexpected Support from Governments Looking to Spur Retrofits
When EnergySavvy rolled out its online energy audit tool in February, CEO Aaron Goldfeder thought it would appeal directly to consumers. But he quickly learned that the company had a second opportunity, one that the founding team had initially overlooked—government and non-profit programs, and utilities companies. “When we launched EnergySavvy.com, we really had no plans … Continue reading “EnergySavvy Finds Unexpected Support from Governments Looking to Spur Retrofits”
Avelle Raises $1M, Bonanza Rolls Out Bags Marketplace
Seattle-based Avelle (formerly known as Bag Borrow or Steal), has raised $1 million in debt financing, according to a regulatory filing. Founded in April 2004, Avelle, known as the “Netflix for handbags,” offers members the ability to rent high-end bags and jewelry from over 3,000 designer labels for a small monthly fee. This deal comes … Continue reading “Avelle Raises $1M, Bonanza Rolls Out Bags Marketplace”
Test Driving the Future of General Motors: My Experience Behind the Wheel of the Chevy Volt
Ten years ago the electric car seemed to be the wave of the future. But in those days of peace and cheap gas, consumers weren’t really demanding the technology. Today that problem has been turned on its ear, as clean energy vehicles are popping up on the factory floor of most major car companies, each … Continue reading “Test Driving the Future of General Motors: My Experience Behind the Wheel of the Chevy Volt”
Motricity Stock Soars On India Deal
Bellevue, WA-based mobile Internet service provider Motricity (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MOTR]]) has inked a big deal with one of India’s largest mobile operators, Reliance Communications, according to Brier Dudley of The Seattle Times. The news has caused the company’s stock to soar about 34 percent, closing today at $17.42. The recent deal is all part of Motricity’s … Continue reading “Motricity Stock Soars On India Deal”
BuddyTV Bets the Company That TV Will Go Social on Smartphones and Tablets
Seattle-based BuddyTV got its start as a place where people could go online to talk about their favorite shows. But five years later, a lot of the hit shows have changed, and so has Buddy TV’s strategy as it seeks to stay relevant. BuddyTV has undergone a transformation this year as it seeks new ways … Continue reading “BuddyTV Bets the Company That TV Will Go Social on Smartphones and Tablets”
Microsoft Invests in AppNexus, Optimum Raises $1.2M, Motricity Talks Post-IPO Expansion, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It’s been another slow deals week for Seattle-area tech companies. Maybe everyone is so distracted by the sunny October skies that they’ve forgotten to carry on with business as usual. Don’t worry, the rain will set in soon enough. In the meantime, take a look at the highlights from the last week: —Redmond, WA-based Microsoft … Continue reading “Microsoft Invests in AppNexus, Optimum Raises $1.2M, Motricity Talks Post-IPO Expansion, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Motricity’s Ryan Wuerch on the Post-IPO Game Plan, International Expansion, and the New Wave of Mobile
Most companies might consider reining in their loftiest ambitions after an IPO plan falls far short of expectations.. Then again, most companies aren’t run by Ryan Wuerch. Wuerch is the founder and chief executive of Bellevue, WA-based mobile software company Motricity (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MOTR]]). The company, founded in 2001, filed for its IPO in January. At … Continue reading “Motricity’s Ryan Wuerch on the Post-IPO Game Plan, International Expansion, and the New Wave of Mobile”
Optimum Energy Raises $1.2M More
Seattle-based cleantech software company Optimum Energy has raised another $1.2 million in debt financing, out of a round that could be worth as much as $4 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company, founded in 2005, develops software that helps large commercial buildings manage the energy efficiency of their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning … Continue reading “Optimum Energy Raises $1.2M More”
When Will TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington Quit AOL? Conceivian Takes a Stab
Ever since AOL (NYSE: [[ticker:AOL]]) acquired San Francisco-based TechCrunch for an undisclosed amount, many in the technology community have been speculating on how long it will take founder Michael Arrington to toss in his towel and leave the Internet giant. At least that’s the question on the minds of the folks over at Redmond, WA-based … Continue reading “When Will TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington Quit AOL? Conceivian Takes a Stab”
Verizon to Roll Out 4G in Seattle
Verizon Wireless will be rolling out its 4G LTE network in 38 major metropolitan areas nationwide, including Seattle, by the end of the year, the company said today. The network will span from the Seattle waterfront to Issaquah, and Lynnwood to Fife. In addition to the nationwide network launch, Verizon will also be equipping 60 … Continue reading “Verizon to Roll Out 4G in Seattle”
Nick Hanauer and Rich Barton Start New Social Gaming Company “King of the Web”
Early Amazon investor and aQuantive founder Nick Hanauer is teaming up with Zillow co-founder and former Expedia CEO Rich Barton on a new social gaming venture, according to Brier Dudley of The Seattle Times. The company, called “King of the Web,” will reportedly roll out in December. Until then, all we know is that the … Continue reading “Nick Hanauer and Rich Barton Start New Social Gaming Company “King of the Web””
NW Cleantech Open Names Nanocel, Puralytics, and Arcimoto as Finalists
The Cleantech Open Pacific Northwest regional finalists, out of a pool of 15 semifinalists, were announced at NW the Cleantech Open at the Bell Harbor Conference Center yesterday. Of the participants, who have gone through months of training, consulting, and business planning in preparation for the competition, three—Seattle-based Nanocel, Beaverton, OR-based Puralytics, and Eugene, OR-based … Continue reading “NW Cleantech Open Names Nanocel, Puralytics, and Arcimoto as Finalists”
Smart Grid Demo Projects Nabs $89M More, Green Startups Compete at Cleantech Open, Isilon & F5 Are Primed for Buyouts, and More Seattle-Area Deals News
Where are all the tech deals? I thought things were supposed to speed up as autumn set in, not slow down. But there wasn’t a single financing deal for Seattle tech companies that we tracked down over the last week. Still, a number of potential negotiations did work their way into the spotlight. Take a … Continue reading “Smart Grid Demo Projects Nabs $89M More, Green Startups Compete at Cleantech Open, Isilon & F5 Are Primed for Buyouts, and More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Isilon, F5 Being Primed for Buyouts, Reports Say
Both Seattle-based Isilon Systems (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ISLN]]) and F5 Networks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FFIV]]) are rumored to be potential candidates for acquisitions, according to two recent reports. Isilon, which has a market value of $1.52 billion, may be shopping itself around to possible buyers, according to a report by Bloomberg. The Bloomberg story cites two anonymous sources briefed … Continue reading “Isilon, F5 Being Primed for Buyouts, Reports Say”
Fifteen Green Companies Compete For Finalist Slots at the Cleantech Open Today
Today is the day many in the in the local cleantech community have been waiting for. The Cleantech Open, a national business plan competition for clean technology and energy startups, plans to announce the Pacific Northwest regional finalists at the Bell Harbor Conference Center at Pier 66 in Seattle this evening. This event will bring … Continue reading “Fifteen Green Companies Compete For Finalist Slots at the Cleantech Open Today”
Novel Seeks to Marry Casual Games With MMOs in “Empire & State”
I have never played a massively multiplayer online (MMO) video game. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I played World of Warcraft once. In college. I was experimenting. But that was it, I never got hooked. I guess I failed to see the point of getting so invested in the virtual world, when I could barely … Continue reading “Novel Seeks to Marry Casual Games With MMOs in “Empire & State””
Smart Grid Demo Project Inks $89M More
The Department of Energy has authorized the release of $89 million in stimulus funding to the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project (PNW-SGDP), a collaboration between the Bonneville Power Administration, the University of Washington, five technology partners, 11 utilities companies across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and Battelle, which operates the Pacific Northwest National … Continue reading “Smart Grid Demo Project Inks $89M More”
Our Top 20 Stories of the Third Quarter: What’s Making Waves in the NW’s Tech and Biotech Sectors
Last week marked my three-month anniversary here at Xconomy, and as I reflected on my time here so far (which just happens to coincide almost perfectly with the third quarter), I realized there have been so many interesting stories—and important ones at that—that even I have forgotten about. It’s hard to keep up with news, … Continue reading “Our Top 20 Stories of the Third Quarter: What’s Making Waves in the NW’s Tech and Biotech Sectors”
Hydrovolts Finalist in Bend Venture Conference
Seattle-based hydropower turbine developer Hydrovolts has been selected as one of five finalists up for $175,000 in venture funding at the 7th annual Bend Venture Conference. The company, founded in 2007, will pitch its concept and business idea in a shark-tank style competition at the conference on October 15. Earlier this month Hydrovolts scored a … Continue reading “Hydrovolts Finalist in Bend Venture Conference”
Washington Startups Bring in $59M in August, Healthcare, Internet, and Software Sectors Dominate Deals
Every month we compile all of the deals at Washington tech and biotech companies into one story where we watch up and coming trends in local financing. Unlike our regular investment coverage and weekly deals roundups, these monthly features give us a chance to look at both the large investments that usually make news, alongside … Continue reading “Washington Startups Bring in $59M in August, Healthcare, Internet, and Software Sectors Dominate Deals”
Oggifinogi Raises $2M
[Corrected: 12:51 pm Pacific, 9/29/10] Oggifinogi has raised $2 million in equity financing. The creative technology and rich media advertising firm, founded in 2008, is based in Bellevue, WA and New York. The financing was disclosed in a regulatory filing this week, although Oggifinogi first announced the deal last month. [Corrected: 12:51 pm Pacific, 9/29/10. … Continue reading “Oggifinogi Raises $2M”
Bonanzle Changes Name to Bonanza, Verizon Wireless Partners with Ground Truth and Urban Airship, Brammo Nabs $12.5 M, and More Seattle-Area Deals News
Though there were only a handful of actual financing deals and partnerships for Northwest companies over the last week, the technology sector definitely made some strides toward laying the groundwork for future investment. Take a look at the highlights: —Seattle-based online marketplace for rare and out of the ordinary items, Bonanzle, changed its name to … Continue reading “Bonanzle Changes Name to Bonanza, Verizon Wireless Partners with Ground Truth and Urban Airship, Brammo Nabs $12.5 M, and More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Northwest Energy Angels Executive Director Margo Shiroyama on Her First Six Months, and the Future of the NW Cleantech Scene
After years in the technology industry, Margo Shiroyama recently made the transition to cleantech. As the new executive director of the Northwest Energy Angels, Margo spends her days meeting with potential investors, coordinating with local cleantech companies, and brainstorming ways to marry the financial side of the industry with the innovation side. “You’re working during … Continue reading “Northwest Energy Angels Executive Director Margo Shiroyama on Her First Six Months, and the Future of the NW Cleantech Scene”
Trupanion, Riding the Wave of Fast-Growing Industry, Seeks to Lead in Pet Medical Insurance
[Corrected: 11:30 am] Little known fact: more than half of American pet owners now buy holiday presents for their pets. But even in a country where buying stocking stuffers for your four-legged pal is more than commonplace, the sale of medical insurance plans to protect pets—and their owners’ pocketbooks—from medical emergencies and other health related … Continue reading “Trupanion, Riding the Wave of Fast-Growing Industry, Seeks to Lead in Pet Medical Insurance”
Brammo Scores $12.5M More, Fueling New Wave of Electric Motorcycles
Tesla may have made the electric car chic, but Ashland, OR-based Brammo is taking the electric vehicle even further—on two wheels. The electric motorcycle company, founded in 2002, has raised a $12.5 million out of a Series B financing round that could be worth as much as $30 million, according to a report by The … Continue reading “Brammo Scores $12.5M More, Fueling New Wave of Electric Motorcycles”